When to plant basil in Edinburgh
Basil is frost-tender, so every date keys off Edinburgh's last spring frost of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 8 – May 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 7 – Aug 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 90 d
Edinburgh's 170-day season leaves this much room.
Basil on Edinburgh's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
MAY 1
OCT 18
Common questions
When can I sow basil outdoors in Edinburgh?
Direct-sow around early May (May 8–May 29) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will basil be ready to harvest in Edinburgh?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 7–Aug 6) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Edinburgh?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant basil outdoors in Edinburgh?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 8–May 29) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has roughly 170 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow basil to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow basil 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Edinburgh's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.